National park · Australia
Booti Booti National ParkBooti Booti National Park (Worimi: Butibuti)
Entry is free — you pay only for camping (about A$24.60 a night at The Ruins). Walk the 8 km (5 mi) Booti loop or the 600 m McBrides Beach track; come on a weekday in spring or autumn, and skip the Cape Hawke tower if 400 steps in the heat is not your idea of a holiday.Entry is free — you pay only for camping (about A$24.60 a night at The Ruins). Walk the 5 mi (8 km) Booti loop or the 600 m McBrides Beach track; come on a weekday in spring or autumn, and skip the Cape Hawke tower if 400 steps in the heat is not your idea of a holiday.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
17 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (17 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 17 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (17 km²)
- Roughly 17 km² of land between Wallis Lake and the sea; boundaries follow The Lakes Way and the shoreline (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Booti Booti is a narrow strip of littoral rainforest, heath and beach between Wallis Lake and the ocean on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast, about 10 km south of Forster. There is no entrance gate and no entry fee: the park is open land crossed by The Lakes Way, and the only charge most visitors meet is the camping fee at The Ruins. It became a national park in 1992, after 15 years as a state recreation area. Two walks carry almost all the visitor value — the Booti Walking Track loop and the short track down to McBrides Beach — plus the Cape Hawke lookout tower just outside the park's northern edge. It pairs naturally with Myall Lakes National Park to the south and with Forster for food and beds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
17 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (17 km²) · national park since 1992
Roughly 17 km² of land between Wallis Lake and the sea; boundaries follow The Lakes Way and the shoreline (check).
Why go
- A free stop on the Sydney–Brisbane drive where rainforest, heath and surf beach sit within a few hundred metres of each other.
- The Booti Walking Track is a genuine 8 km (5 mi) grade 3 loop, not a boardwalk shuffle.The Booti Walking Track is a genuine 5 mi (8 km) grade 3 loop, not a boardwalk shuffle.
- McBrides Beach is a short 600 m walk from a car park, with cliffs at both ends and usually few people.
- Camping at The Ruins puts you inside the park for about A$24.60 a night, a fraction of Forster motel rates.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot and humid; school holidays fill the campground
- FebWarm; afternoon storms
- MarWarm sea, softer light, fewer people
- AprMild and dry; best walking
- MayCool, clear, quiet
- JunCool days; short daylight
- JulColdest month; whales offshore
- AugCool and dry; whale season
- SepMild, dry, wildflowers in the heath
- OctWarm and clear; whales still passing
- NovWarm; first summer crowds
- DecHot; campground and beaches busy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whales offshoreJun–Nov · Northbound June–August, southbound September–November; visible from the headlands. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Coastal birds — sea eagles, ospreys, ternsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Heath wildflowersAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Snakes in warm weatherOct–Mar · Common in the heath; stay on the track and wear shoes. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sydney
M1/A1 Pacific Motorway north, exit at Bulahdelah, then The Lakes Way northeast; the last stretch is narrow and winding.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From Forster
The Lakes Way south from town; the park starts about 10 km (6.2 mi) out.The Lakes Way south from town; the park starts about 6.2 mi (10 km) out.
15 min
From Newcastle
Busways routes 150 and 151 run a few times each way to stops at Tea Gardens and Taree, not to the park; from there you need a taxi or a long walk to reach the trailheads.
2.5–3 h
From Brisbane
A1 south to Rainbow Flat, then The Lakes Way east; a long day's drive.
7–8 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| The Ruins and Seven Mile Beach | Campground, picnic area, park office and the long ocean beach on the eastern side. | Open; camping by booking. |
| Booti Hill and the rainforest saddle | The high ground in the middle of the park, with littoral rainforest and the Booti loop. | Open on foot. |
| McBrides Beach and the southern cliffs | A small beach between headlands, reached only by the 600 m track. | Open on foot. |
| Cape Hawke lookout | A tower on the ridge at the northern end, with views over Forster, Wallis Lake and the park. | Open; 400 steps, not accessible. |
Sketch map
- 1The Ruins Campground and park office · Sleep≈-32.311, 152.519Map ↗
- 2Booti Hill trailhead · Trail≈-32.296, 152.523Approximate.Map ↗
- 3McBrides Beach · Beach≈-32.285, 152.535Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Cape Hawke Lookout · Viewpoint≈-32.217, 152.563Map ↗
- 5Forster · Town≈-32.181, 152.514Map ↗
- 6Pacific Palms · Town≈-32.340, 152.540Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park centre from open data; trailheads and beaches are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No gate and no entry fee for Booti Booti (check current NPWS advice). |
| The Ruins Campground | AUD 35–45 (≈ US$25–30) | campsite per night | 2026 estimate; NPWS rates have risen above the old A$24.60 figure — confirm the exact price when you book online with NSW National Parks. |
| Vehicle access to a NSW national park | Free | vehicle | NSW charges park entry at a small number of parks only; Booti Booti is not one of them (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping at The Ruins permit or guide
Commercial filming or an organised event permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the national park, including on the beaches inside it; leave them at your accommodation.
- Fires
- No fires outside the provided facilities; check total fire bans before lighting anything, and never leave a fire unattended.
- Camping
- Only at The Ruins Campground, and only with a booking; no camping on the beach or in the bush.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach birds and animals; keep food sealed and rubbish out of the heath.
- Drones
- Not permitted in NSW national parks without approval (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
The Ruins Campground
96 sites inside the park beside Seven Mile Beach; book online, about A$24.60 a night.
Near the park
Forster and Tuncurry
Motels, apartments and caravan parks about 10–15 min north, with restaurants and shops.
Near the park
Myall Lakes and Seal Rocks
More camping and small coastal settlements to the south if The Ruins is full.
Safety
Surf and rips on Seven Mile Beach and McBrides Beach medium
Heat on the Booti loop medium
Snakes in the heath low
Narrow, winding road on The Lakes Way medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Ruins picnic area and campground have vehicle access and short, flat paths.
- McBrides Beach Track is a rough 600 m descent; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Cape Hawke Lookout involves 400 steps and a 500 m walk; not accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Pay the camping fee and book online — the money goes back into track and toilet maintenance.
- Carry out everything you bring in; there are no bins along the tracks.
- Keep to marked tracks in the heath to protect nesting birds and the littoral rainforest.
- Report injured wildlife or marine strandings to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Booti Booti National Park?
Nothing. There is no gate and no entry fee for day visitors. The only standard charge is camping at The Ruins Campground, about A$24.60 per site per night, booked online with NSW National Parks. Parking at the trailheads is free.
What are the best hikes in Booti Booti National Park?
The Booti Walking Track is the main one: an 8 km grade 3 loop through heath, littoral rainforest and along the coast, taking 2.5–3.5 hours. The McBrides Beach Track is the easy alternative, 600 m each way to a beach between cliffs. The Cape Hawke Lookout walk, 500 m plus 400 steps, is just outside the park's northern end.
When is the best time to visit Booti Booti National Park?
March to May and September to November: mild, mostly dry, and quiet outside school holidays. Summer is hot and busy, and the campground fills. Winter is cool and good for walking, with humpback whales passing offshore from June to November.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, but only at The Ruins Campground, which has 96 sites and needs an online booking. There is no free camping on the beach or in the bush, and no backcountry camping.
Can I take my dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in the national park, including the beaches inside it. Forster and Tuncurry have dog-friendly beaches and accommodation.
Do I need a park pass?
No. New South Wales charges vehicle entry at a small number of parks only, and Booti Booti is not one of them. If you plan to visit several NSW parks, check whether any on your list charge entry before buying anything.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Booti Booti National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — The Ruins Campground and picnic area
- officialNSW National Parks — Booti Walking Track
- officialNSW National Parks — McBrides Beach walking track
- officialNSW National Parks — Cape Hawke Lookout
- secondaryWikipedia — Booti Booti National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Booti Booti National Park, revision 4942479 (CC BY-SA 4.0)